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Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

River Falls, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,408/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (55,700 openings/yr)

ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #69 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$544K	$538K	$497K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.8x	15.6x	14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.0x	8.0x	7.4x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	44%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	41	40	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$34,424

Out-of-state: $67,548 (8.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,856

-71% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,000

7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,208

59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $33,408/yr, Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates from University of Wisconsin-River Falls land near the $34,545 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Natural Resources Conservation and Research's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $33,408 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #69 of 256 Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs, University of Wisconsin-River Falls scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,208 show a 59% jump from the $33,408 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Wisconsin-River Falls

With 82% of applicants admitted, University of Wisconsin-River Falls prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 4,152 students in River Falls, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-River Falls →

Top Career Paths

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary $100,830/yr

Environmental science teachers, postsecondary $87,710/yr

Environmental scientists and specialists, including health $80,060/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Natural Resources Conservation and Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Resources Conservation and Research at University of Wisconsin-River Falls?

A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Resources Conservation and Research. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Natural Resources Conservation and Research careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $496,517 in decade earnings vs $543,594 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →